So long, Seafirst

It's Seafair here in Seattle, that annual summer rite where we celebrate the city's history and heritage.

Ironic, then, that today I lay to rest one small piece of that history and heritage; one which I've carried in my wallet since before the millennium: my Seafirst Bank Versatel check card.

	Bye-bye, Seafirst.

Yes, I still have one. The bank formerly known as Seattle-First National hasn't gone by "Seafirst" since Sept. 27, 1999, when it adopted the name of parent Bank of America. I've long since gotten accustomed to seeing BofA's silver signs where Seafirst's blue ones used to dot the landscape (although I still think they look more of a dull gray in overcast Seattle).

But, even though BofA kindly sent me a new (dull gray) check card in '99, I never activated it and never used it. Instead, I've stuck with my trusty blue card, the one that still says "Seafirst." I suppose it was a silly, but harmless, protest against the disappearance of "old Seattle." And well, the card still worked and the bank never complained.

All good things come to an end, however, and my Seafirst card is only valid through today. It's about to become history, just like the Seattle-born institution whose name it bears. But that's progress for you.